Protect Yourself – Get Vaccinated
Like wearing a seatbelt or having smoke detectors in your home, getting your routine vaccinations are an important way to help keep you safe from illness and disease. Vaccinations are one of the leading ways to protect your body from illness. The CDC estimates more than 50 million deaths worldwide could be prevented over a 10-year period due to vaccines.
How vaccines protect you and others.
Vaccines are like a training session for your body. A small, harmless piece of a virus or bacteria is introduced through the vaccine, usually an injection (shot) but can also be a liquid, pill or nasal sprays. Once you have received the vaccine, your body begins building immunity and learning how to fight off that illness or disease if you were to be exposed to a larger amount of it in the future.
Even though some people are unable to get vaccines due to allergies to ingredients, the medications they are taking, their age, or other medical conditions, they can still receive benefits from vaccines through what is known as herd (community) immunity. Herd immunity is the idea that when many people in a community are immune to a contagious illness or disease, usually through vaccinations, it's harder for that illness/disease to spread; however, experts estimate that for most diseases or illnesses, vaccination rates need to be between 70-95% to achieve herd immunity.
Common vaccines.
According to the World Health Organization, we currently have vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases. Some of these vaccines we receive as children or as elderly adults and some vaccines are only needed when we travel to other countries, but all of them help us to live longer, healthier lives. Here are the five most common vaccines and the disease/illness from which they protect us:
- Influenza (flu) vaccine: Protects against the seasonal flu virus. The flu vaccine is given once a year.
- Pneumonia vaccine: Protects against bacterial pneumonia. Pneumonia vaccines are given to children, people with certain medication conditions, and the elderly population.
- COVID-19 vaccine: Protects against the COVID-19 virus. Please ask your doctor or advanced practice provider* (APP) for the most up to date COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.
- Tdap: Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). The Tdap vaccine is typically recommended every 10 years and for people with certain conditions.
- Shingles vaccine: Protects against virus that causes shingles. The shingles vaccine is recommended for patients over the age of 50 and requires two doses total.
It is important to talk to your doctor or APP about a personalized vaccination schedule that is right for you.
Where to get a vaccine.
Many primary care practices offer vaccine services during your visit for some common vaccines like the flu, however, there may be times your doctor or APP recommend you get a vaccine somewhere else, usually a pharmacy. Pharmacies are a great option for getting vaccinated as they can order the specific vaccine you need, and the pharmacist can administer it to you. You always have a choice in selecting which pharmacy to go to, and it’s important to choose one you trust, that is in a convenient location, and offers the services you need. If you are getting a vaccine, here are some things to consider.
- Make an appointment to see your doctor, APP or pharmacist to get your vaccine. This will allow them to make sure the vaccine is in stock, and someone is there to administer it. Village Medical patients who use Walgreens pharmacy** can click here to make vaccine appointments for added convenience.
- Fill out paperwork. If you make a vaccine appointment, you may be able to fill out your paperwork in advance helping you to save time during your appointment. This paperwork is important as it may ask about any allergies you may have and your vaccine history.
- The vaccine shot. It is most common for vaccines to be given as shots in your upper arm, so consider wearing a sleeveless top for easy access.
- Aftercare. It is normal to feel some discomfort, such as redness and soreness, in the area where you received the vaccine. A cool compress may help with your discomfort. If you have any concerns about the vaccine area, please contact your doctor or APP to have it looked at further.
Getting your vaccinations is one of the best ways you can help in protecting yourself and others from illness and disease. It is easy to do and can be done at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy. While there are many types of vaccines available, you don’t necessarily need them all. That is why talking with your primary care doctor or APP about which vaccines are right for you and when you should get them is key to staying healthy.
*An advanced practice provider is defined as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
**Patients always have a choice in pharmacy.